The newly updated alcohol ordinance was adopted during the Oconee County Board of Commissioners’ regular session meeting on Dec. 3, which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025. The revised ordinance aims to clarify regulations around alcohol sales and update outdated language as well as who would be disqualified from acquiring a license. Some of the places that will be affected by these updates will be brewpubs, restaurants and movie theaters.

“We changed all the good reputation and character language to a more specific recital of things that would disqualify an applicant,” said Daniel Haygood, the county attorney. 

Applicants with felony convictions or crimes that violate community standards will be ineligible for an alcohol license. 

Brew pubs are also now classified as a separate license category but must continue to operate as a restaurant. Brew Pubs are allowed to sell barrels to wholesalers, but not retailers. Haygood explained that one barrel equals approximately 31 gallons, meaning Brew Pubs can sell up to 5,000 barrels, or 15,000 gallons to a wholesaler. 

The ordinance also maintains the 75 to 25 rule for restaurants. This rule requires that 75 percent of the restaurant's revenue comes from food, while only 25 percent can come from alcohol sales. 

A major change in the ordinance is the transfer of alcohol license administration to the county’s planning department. The department will now issue licenses within 60 days of receiving an application. 

Alcohol license renewals must be filled out by Nov. 15, but there is a 30-day grace period to submit a renewal application. 

The Sunday Brunch Law was approved by the county and they will follow the times proposed. The law states that alcoholic sales will start at 11 a.m. instead of the previous start time of noon.

The meeting also included several rezoning efforts. One of the requests was unanimously approved for a property on Plaza Parkway and Jennings Mill Road from a residential zone to a business zone. 

The board of commissioners Chairman, John Daniell, believes that this areas will be transformed into a Life Time facility. This business will include a gym and a hotel. Daniell stated that the business will begin building in a few years

The Elizabeth Price Dolvin Foundation was the next major rezoning effort discussed. The foundation owns a short-term rental property and requested permission to rent out the property without having to be present during the rentals. However, the board denied the request, as it doesn’t follow the rental regulations.

Elizabeth Dulebohn, who resides at the property,  spoke out from the audience during the meeting, stating “I guess I won’t be,” when asked if she plans to leave the premises during the rental period. 

The majority of rezoning requests brought before the board were denied for failing to meet the requirements outlined by the county.

Other issues addressed during the meeting included discussion on the fiscal year budgets which was presented by Clay Pilgrim, an audit partner for RUSHTON. The county’s revenue increased by 5.4% and property taxes decreased $644,914. They project that various government programs were trending higher than they were in 2024.